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Bates Technical College vs Heritage University: which has better ROI?

Public, Tacoma WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Toppenish WA

The verdict

Bates Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $25,168 in 14.9 years versus 55.3 years at Heritage University, on median earnings of $50,051 vs $49,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBates Technical CollegeHeritage University
Net price / yr$6,292$14,598
Total net cost$25,168$58,392
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,051$49,416
Median debt$14,573
Payback14.9 yrs55.3 yrs
20-year net return$8,652-$37,272

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bates Technical College or Heritage University?

Bates Technical College, at $6,292 a year after aid versus $14,598 — a gap of $8,306 a year, or $33,224 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bates Technical College or Heritage University graduates earn more?

Bates Technical College graduates report a median $50,051 ten years after entry, $635 more than the $49,416 at Heritage University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Heritage University, against 43% at Bates Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bates Technical College vs Heritage University: frequently asked questions

Is Bates Technical College or Heritage University a better value?
Bates Technical College. It clears its $25,168 net cost in about 14.9 years versus 55.3 years at Heritage University, on median earnings of $50,051 vs $49,416 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Bates Technical College or Heritage University?
Bates Technical College: $6,292/yr net price after aid versus $14,598/yr at Heritage University — a difference of $8,306 a year, or about $33,224 over four years.
Do Bates Technical College or Heritage University graduates earn more?
Bates Technical College graduates earn a median $50,051 ten years after entry, versus $49,416 at Heritage University — a $635 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.